Reading: II Samuel 11:26-12:15
Proper 6C
June 17, 2001
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Church, Cupertino CA,
The Cold War has been over for eleven years. The USSR no longer exists. The archenemy who once instilled fear and trepidation upon the Western World has been stripped of its standing as a rival world power. Now that the United States is the only real Superpower in the world, unmatched by any other nation, how does that change the way we do business in the world? Do we as a nation move toward a position of neo-isolationism, where we focus only on our own needs, refusing to enter into multi-lateral agreements with the rest of the world? Do we use our power to maintain our privileged status in the world, striving ever more for greater economic security and resources at the expense of others? Or do we use our unmatched power to build relationships with other countries, enhancing the quality of life for the billions of other people who share this planet with us?
These are questions about power. They are questions that our Congress, our Military, and the citizens of the United States need to discern as we learn to grapple with our new position as the only Superpower of the world. How we choose to use our power is not only a political decision but also a moral one. Since we claim to be "One Nation under God," we are called to strive for justice and peace and respect the dignity of every human being. Today's story from the Hebrew Scriptures serves as a reminder to all of us, that to act irresponsibly in society, especially against those who have less power, is to "despise the word of the Lord." In the end, there is often a hefty price to pay.
Let's take a look at the story of David and Bathsheba. It is the classical story of the arrogant misuse of power for personal satisfaction. The story of David's adultery and murder reminds us of the deadly spiral of violence that can escalate from a single act of misuse of power. It reminds us that even those most admired and most accomplished are not immune to the temptation of power.
As you might remember, King David had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his top military commanders. While her husband, Uriah the Hittite, is out fighting battles for the King, Bathsheba gets pregnant. When King David gets word of this, he calls Uriah home from battle. He tries unsuccessfully to deceive Uriah into sleeping with his wife before the pregnancy becomes obvious. However, Uriah refuses to sleep with his wife until his military engagement is over and all of the troops have returned from battle. What is a King to do? David plots Uriah's murder. He purposely places Uriah in the front line of battle and then has the troops pull back so that Uriah is promptly killed in the fighting. It is at this point in the story that we hear today's reading.
After an appropriate period of mourning, the King takes Bathsheba to be his wife and breathes a sigh of relief. He thinks that he has gotten away with a clever political maneuver- a win/win situation where Uriah dies as a war hero, and his selfish acts of lust go unnoticed by the public. But then Nathan the prophet enters into the scene. To say the least, Nathan is a formidable prophet! Being the moral conscience of the King's court, he does not mince words. He is aware of David's immoral use of power and tells him a story.
"There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup, and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him." (II Sam. 11)
After hearing the story, King David becomes infuriated at the injustice and demands the life of the rich man. Nathan fixes his eyes on the King, points his finger and says, "You are the man." It is remarkable that our tradition had the courage to pass down this story in writing. It is a story that presents Israel's greatest King with a portrait that includes his weaknesses and vulnerabilities as well as his accomplishments and power. It gives us an opportunity to assess our own lives and to admit where we need to repent and return to the Lord.
My brothers and sisters in Christ: We are now in the Green Season of the liturgical calendar. "Green" means that it is the season of growth; the time to grow and mature into the full stature of Christ. In the many weeks to follow, you will be hearing Bible stories about healing, sacrifice, self-denial, simplicity, rejection, priorities, prayer, stewardship, money, compassion, and inclusivity. These areas of concern are presented so that we may learn to become agents of healing in a world that is wounded and suffering.
Today, the focus of the lessons deals with issues of power. I would like for each of you to take some time today, to reread the lessons and to compare the King's David use of power with Jesus' use of power. David uses his power to exploit another while Jesus uses his power to forgive a very wounded individual. How different the world would be today if nations and individuals followed Jesus rather than David. The message is clear. As Christians, we are to use our power for the reconciliation of the world; to heal and not to divide; to empower and not to dominate. There are at least two errors a person can fall into in regard to power.
So as you leave this sanctuary today, think about the power that is invested in you and how you will use this power to "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself."(BCP 305) "For thine O Lord, is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever." Amen.
| Updated 6/18/01 |
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